Simeon was an elderly man who lived at the time of the birth of Jesus. God revealed to him that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. (Lk 2:26.) We are told that Simeon "was waiting for the salvation of Israel." He was a believer who held on to God’s promises and Word.
As a believing man, Simeon was waiting for the prophecies of the coming Messiah to take place. Then one day Simeon was moved by the Spirit to go to the temple to see the Christ. How excited he must have been! You can be sure that he went as quickly as he possibly could. His waiting was almost done. He would finally cry out that the salvation of Israel and the kingdom of God had come.
When he entered the temple, Simeon saw Joseph and Mary with Baby Jesus. Somehow he knew that Baby Jesus is the One he had been waiting for and praying to see for all those years. He held out his arms. He took the Child and praised God with these words: Lk 2: 28 – 32: "Sovereign Lord, as you have promised, you now dismiss your servant in peace. For my eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the sight of all people, a light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel."
Most of Israel’s believers were waiting for Messiah's birth. But when the Messiah did come, only a handful of people recognised him.
Many who are waiting for Jesus, begging for peace, joy and salvation in their lives, do not recognise him when he comes to them.
None of us, not a single one, can go in peace unless we have met the Saviour of all men, our Redeemer from sin. I therefore have to ask: have you met the Saviour? Have you truly seen the Christ?
The Saviour has already come. It is also true that someday he will come again. So we too, like Simeon, eagerly wait and pray for his coming. We are filled with hope and great anticipation.
During this season, like Simeon, hold out your hands, your arms and your hearts, to receive him.
We are waiting for the coming of Jesus with Simeon and with all the believers of every generation. He stands knocking at the door of our lives. Let’s let him enter with great joy. And, when he returns on the clouds, or when he comes to take us to be with him, we will go in peace and joy, for we have see the salvation of the sovereign Lord!
Come, Lord Jesus! Come quickly Lord!
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